The Nigeria Customs Service has alleged that smugglers have been using fake presidential number plates to deliver vehicles across the country.
According to the Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone “B”, Kaduna, Chedi Wada, criminals dubiously use such fake number plates belonging to various state and local governments, MDAs, Emirate Councils, and other governmental institutions.
Speaking as he received Bashir Rabe-Mani, Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, Kaduna Zonal Office, Wada said, ”Customs will not relent; we will continue to do our best by not allowing smugglers to use the old tactics of using the presidential number plates and other governmental institutions to smuggle luxurious vehicles into the country.
”This is one of the menaces we are having. It is saddening how vehicle smugglers are ridiculing the apex seat in the country by using presidential fake plate numbers on newly smuggled cars to deceive customs,”
According to him, customs are well-trained personnel and can easily identify fake numbers.
“We are not happy with them, it is too bad for them to be playing with the presidency, that’s why we always put a heavy hammer on those using the presidency on false instances on smuggled vehicles.
“Let them respect the presidency, we must respect the presidency that is leadership.”
The comptroller said that the service was committed to saving Nigeria’s economy by bringing smugglers down to the ground by suppressing their activities.
Wada said that the media have been assisting them in extending what they were doing to the public, decrying,” many people do not understand how the rules of the customs are and why certain actions are taken.
“Some will say customs will come to their houses to take contraband, but all this will be amplified through the media on what the rules and regulations are.
‘According to the Act of Customs, on getting intelligence, customs can enter the premises and take contraband away, possibly arrest and prosecute.
”People expect customs to notify them of any planned seizure at their houses or shops or arrest.
If I inform you that I am coming, what stops you from taking away the exhibit.”
